Widow of RAF serviceman who lost his life to cancer shares her heartbreaking story, as her kids ask you to get behind Smiles At Christmas

Caroline Williamson lost her husband and her two children lost their dad to cancer in 2014, but Scotty's Little Soldiers has helped the family through the pain

By MIKE RIDLEY

8th December 2016, 1:20 pm

Updated: 8th December 2016, 6:15 pm

TELLING her two young children that the RAF daddy they adored had died was the hardest thing widow Caroline Williamson has ever had to do.

Recalling that terrible day back in August 2014 still makes her weep. Caroline says: “I was in deep shock from seeing my wonderful husband Rob lose his battle with a brain tumour at the age of just 40. I can’t remember telling the children, because I was so numb.

Caroline Williamson lost her loving husband Rob, an RAF sergeant, to cancer in 2014

“All I can recall is seeing them sitting on the sofa, sobbing their hearts out with the most terrible raw grief.

“At that moment, I thought they had lost their childhoods forever. I didn’t know if life would ever be normal again, because Rob had been our whole World.

"I didn’t know what lay in the future or if any of us would even ever laugh or smile again.”

Sgt Robert Williamson – who served in the RAF for 20 years – first fell ill in 2013.

Caroline says: “I picked him up at the end of a posting in High Wycombe and he was in so much pain he could hardly stand. I drove him to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and all Hell broke out.”

This tough, devoted family man was determined to fight for the sake of wife Caroline, 40, and children Lucy, now 13 and Edward, ten.

He faced hours of surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Letter from Lucy Williamson, 13

Dear Sun readers,

I would like to tell you about how Scotty’s Little Soldiers have really helped me with the death of my dad. When my dad first died it was dreadful.
I felt horrible but when we discovered Scotty’s Little Soldiers it really helped me because I got to meet new people who were in the same position as me.
I then knew that I wasn’t alone and people also knew how I felt.
They’ve also helped with my bereavement as every Christmas they send us presents.
I’ve also been lucky enough to be able to go on two holidays with Scotty’s for free.
Scotty’s has really helped me in ways that most people can’t.
So I would really love it if you donated some money to Scotty’s Little Soldiers and the money would go to children who have lost their mum or dad.
Your donation would help a lot.
Love Lucy

But by June 2014 tests revealed the tumour had returned – and despite the bravest of battles Rob died in August.

Caroline, from King’s Lynn, Norfolk says: “Rob was a real hero. He just thought about his children. In the weeks after we lost him, life was just a blur. As we neared Christmas, I was physically dreading it.

"The children refused to write Christmas lists. The only thing they wanted was their Daddy back and of course, Santa couldn’t fix that.

“Our family Christmases in the past had been so happy – with Rob at the centre of everything. Now, it was unbearable to see their sad little faces.”

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Or tweet using #SmilesAtChristmas to let us know how you’re getting involved!

Then, in the depths of Caroline’s sorrow, she made contact with Scotty’s Little Soldiers. She says: “I wasn’t sure they’d even respond because Rob hadn’t died in action. But immediately, Nikki was lovely.

“She invited us to a Scotty’s Christmas party. It meant I had to drive to Manchester and I was terrified to walk into a room full of strangers. But I thought of Rob’s strength and made myself do it.

“It was like walking into a room of Christmas magic. Everyone was so friendly, and the kids ran off to play games.

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"When they got their paper and pens out, I started to cry. I shall treasure those lists forever – because it was our first sign of hope.”

A few months later, Caroline had a text offering a break in a Scotty’s holiday chalet.

She says: “We were able to spend a week together as a family, which I would never have been able to afford. Although I work from home writing internet reports, money is tight.

"This holiday was a true gift. We went for walks, played on the beach, talked and laughed and remembered Rob. I didn’t have to worry about the cleaning up or cooking. It gave us time together – the most precious gift we needed.

“It is lonely sometimes, especially at night when the children are asleep but I can go onto the charity’s website and there is a private member’s chat, where we share experiences, support each other and laugh and joke.

“We have so much support when we need it most – like the anniversary of Rob’s death. Last year, we went away to a Scotty’s lodge.

Letter from Edward Williamson, 10

Dear Sun readers,

Scotty’s Little Soldiers has really helped me.
Please help children like me by donating because Scotty’s do as much as they can from giving birthday and Christmas presents to holidays which make me smile.
So please donate.

From Edward Williamson

"At Christmas time, the children are given presents from the charity. We have fun days out – like a speed track day which the children loved. "Rob was a propulsion mechanic and he loved engines and fast cars. When I saw Edward racing around the track, I just knew his Daddy would

have been so proud.

“This amazing charity has enabled my kids to enjoy their childhood again. It’s allowed us to be a family once more and it has helped us to smile despite our pain. My children are more confident, and much happier than they were before. I can’t put a price on that.

“Edward said recently: ‘Scotty’s have become our new family since Daddy died.’

“I can’t agree with him more.”

Every pound you donate to The Sun's Smiles at Christmas campaign will help a youngster who has lost a parent serving in the armed forces.

Charity Scotty's Little Soldiers was set up by Nikki Scott to support the children of servicemen and women.